You've just pulled another all-nighter, your fifth cup of coffee in hand, shadows under your eyes looking like they'd give pandas a run for their money. The presentation you've been slaving over for weeks is finally ready, and you're about to march into the lion's den (read: the boardroom). You're tired, slightly delirious, but armed with the confidence that only comes from hard work and sheer determination.
You nail it. The presentation goes smoothly, your boss is beaming, and you think you can finally exhale. But then, here comes Jelay from accounting, ready to douse your joy with her ever-reliable bucket of cold water.
"Well," she says, her voice thick with veiled resentment, "aren't you lucky?"
Lucky? Lucky? The wheels in your mind screech to a halt. Did Jelay just attribute your hard-earned success to luck? Was she implying that your presentation, the one you had perfected down to the last comma, was simply the result of a fortunate roll of the cosmic dice?
Oh, the audacity! It would be funny if it wasn't so downright frustrating. It's like a bad sitcom plot, one where your painstaking hard work is reduced to an afterthought, overshadowed by this mythical entity called luck.
Oh sure, Jelay, luck it is. You know, that 'Luck' which kept me up all night, poring over data? That 'Luck' which made me rehearse my speech till my voice went hoarse? That 'Luck' which saw me sacrifice weekends, parties, and binge-worthy Netflix shows, just so I could stay on top of my work? Yes, it must be luck!
And I'd almost forgotten about the other times 'Luck' showed up. Like that time when it made me voluntarily take on extra projects, or when it made me learn new software over a weekend. I must say, 'Luck' sure has an uncanny way of looking suspiciously like I’m working my socks off.
But you know what? I can see where Jelay's coming from. Why would anyone want to credit another's hard work and tenacity when it's so much easier to dismiss it as 'luck'?
So, here's a shoutout to all the Jelays out there, those who are quick to brandish the 'luck' card and discount others' efforts. Keep it up, really. Because every time you dismiss our hard work as 'luck,' you're not diminishing us, but showcasing your own insecurity and jealousy.
And as for me? Well, I'll keep my 'luck' close. After all, it seems to have a knack for showing up every time I work hard, push my boundaries, and strive for success. Oh, and Jelay? Here’s a pro-tip: if you fancy some of this ‘luck,’ there’s a whole bunch of it available at the end of an extra shift, right beside the pile of work you’re avoiding. Fancy a go?
0 Comments